The Right Care

Tribal Gift Caps Abuse Center Fundraising

Exam room construction can move forward

COOS BAY – Gifts from two Indian tribes will equip medical exam rooms for local child abuse victims.

The recent announcement of a $20,000 grant from the Coquille Tribal Community Fund capped a fundraising effort by the Kids’ Hope Center in Coos Bay. The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation gave $15,000 in January, and the combined total will cover the exam rooms’ cost.

“We are more than pleased to be able to help the Kid’s HOPE Center reach its goal,” said Coquille Tribal Council Chairperson Brenda Meade. “It is gratifying to see two area tribes come together to bring much-needed medical attention to victims of child abuse.”

The tribal money will pay for medical equipment used in child abuse investigations, making the center a “one-stop shop” for victims and their families, Shorb said. The center currently sends victims to private medical offices for exams. Examining patients in-house will ease the children’s burden of time-consuming, stressful appointments.

“It is a blessing to have two incredibly generous donors not only take responsibility for the whole project, but to also see the need,” said Kids’ HOPE Program Director JoAnne Shorb. “Instead of worrying about how to make sure these kids are getting to their appointments, we’re going to be able to focus on caring for these kids in-house and making sure their health needs are immediately met.”

Two separate rooms will serve victims of physical abuse and sexual abuse, so children won’t be intimidated by equipment that won’t be used in their cases. The rooms are projected to be ready by fall, Shorb said.

Kids’ Hope, an agency of Bay Area Hospital, investigates abuse allegations from communities throughout Coos County and beyond. It follows a “medical model” of abuse investigations, focusing primarily on meeting the physical and emotional needs of victims. This “kid-friendly” approach enhances prosecution efforts as well.

The Coquille Tribal Community Fund, based in North Bend, is the Coquille Indian Tribe’s philanthropic arm. This year it awarded $408,000 to 65 community groups in Coos, Lane, Douglas, Jackson and Curry counties. It has donated $5.1 million since 2001.